Reviews and musings on music and arts events in the Clare, Limerick & Waterford regions & occasionally further afield

Music and Reviews from Clare, Limerick, Waterford and sometimes further afield

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

A Sing Along with the Speks: Live in Ennis

I caught up with The Speks in Ennis where they entertained a family audience as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities at Glor. The 'boy band' dressed in primary colours and wearing wigs were quite at home on the big stage and looked like they were enjoying themselves as much as their young listeners. The charming set of favourite childrens' songs and nursery rhymes familiar to all ages were peppered with interludes of Irish dance tunes performed on traditional instruments. I particularly liked Miss Molly Had a Dolly, given a distinctly Irish makeover when fused with the hornpipe the Beggerman. A key feature was the addition of simple ostinatos to encourage audience participation. More colour was added via illustrations of the rhymes projected on the backdrop screen and there was a range of nicely produced books and cds available in the foyer.

I spoke to Quince Spek, aka Paul Quin in the bustling foyer following the gig and he told me that some of the band are together since their school days and acknowledged the influence of one of their school teachers in developing their style . The Speks website is a mine of material, recordings, lyrics , tips on classroom use etc. and an excellent resource for anyone involved in primary school education.